Okay, okay, it's a glorified practice and the quarterback was off limits to defenders. And, sure, Sanchez didn't exactly light it up (9-of-16 for 70 yards, no TDs and, most importantly, no INTs; Clemens went 5-of-7 for 26 yards, no TDs, no INTs). Neither QB led his team to a touchdown in four and five series, respectively. Defense rules in Jets Nation.

But Clemens, in his fourth year in the system, should have had a substantial lead in the competition at this point, perhaps a little cushion to fall back on. He has no such cushion, and thus Sanchez has already pulled ahead of him in the competition, by my count.

And you don't have to be ``Madame X'' to read coach Rex Ryan's mind. All along, he has said that he wouldn't have a problem starting a rookie, and after the scrimmage Ryan was absolutely giddy in his assessment of Sanchez, while throwing Clemens a bone, saying he has great command of the offense.

Sorry, Rex, I'm not buying it. After riding with rookie Joe Flacco last season in Baltimore all the way to the AFC Championship game, it's clear you're ready to saddle up with Sanchez -- and I can't say that I blame you. Clemens will provide a nice insurance policy.

But Rex, when it comes to your effusive praise of linebacker Vernon Gholston, I don't see it. Once again, Gholston was a no-show on Thursday evening, and even you didn't try to sell the media a bill of goods on that one.

Gholston was in the area on a "sack" by linebacker Jamaal Westerman, who is practically a lock to make the team, but other than that he was invisible. What's more, third-year linebacker Marques Murrell is "flashing" more than Gholston.